Plenary round-up – May II 2023

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

Among the key moments of the May II plenary session were debates on breaches of the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds, and on the threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular through the creation of an investigative committee. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, made a statement on the 10-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh. Another debate addressed the social and economic costs of climate change in light of the floods in Emilia Romagna, Marche and Tuscany and the urgent need for European solidarity. Members also considered an own-initiative report on sexual harassment in the EU. Finally, in a formal sitting, Parliament heard an address by Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia.

Corporate sustainability due diligence

Members debated the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) report on harmonising corporate sustainability due diligence across Member States, which demands amendments to the Commission’s proposal. These include broadening the scope of companies subject to the directive, as well as the definition of ‘value chain’, introducing remediation for those affected by unfair corporate practices, and linking the variable remuneration of directors of large companies (1 000+ employees) to the implementation of climate change transition plans. The text adopted sets Parliament’s position for trilogue negotiations with the Council.

Act in support of ammunition production

Responding to Ukraine’s request for EU assistance, Members voted on the proposal to assist the defence industry to increase ammunition production capacity, and address ammunition shortages and supply-chain bottlenecks (to avoid leaving EU countries without the means for their own defence). The proposal aims at helping the defence industry to ramp up production, including the creation of a fund that would provide financial assistance to EU ammunition producers. Negotiations with the Council on the proposed act in support of ammunition production are to be fast-tracked, aiming to adopt the act by the end of July 2023.

Geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products

Members debated a report from the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) on the proposed regulation consolidating elements of the geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products into a single system. The committee’s report simplifies the GI registration procedure, and reduces the role of the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in comparison to a much criticised element of the proposal. Members’ vote has set Parliament’s mandate for interinstitutional negotiations.

Foreign interference in EU democracy

With evidence of increasing external interference in EU affairs – ranging from social media disinformation campaigns, to corruption of officials, and the weaponisation of energy, food supplies and migrants – Members debated foreign interference in democratic processes and election integrity, and voted on the report of the second Special Committee on Foreign Interference (ING2) on external attempts to influence elections and democratic processes in the EU. The recommendations address resilience-building, cybersecurity, interference during electoral processes, covert funding of political activities by foreign actors, the EU’s coordinated strategy on interference, and the development of a defence of democracy package.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Two decisions to enter into interinstitutional negotiations from the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) committee were announced: on the proposal for a directive on assets recovery and confiscation and on the proposal for a regulation on automated data exchange for police cooperation (Prüm II).

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – May II 2023‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.